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Grays Athletic 1 Aldershot 2: Nervy Grays sink to defeat

IT TOOK a long time for this game to resemble a blood-and-thunder cup tie, but when it did it sprang into life in spectacular fashion.

These sides met in the Ryman League last season, and for the first 45 minutes they served up a match reminiscent of the most mind-numbing non-league knockabout.

Fans set off fireworks to amuse themselves, but they failed to spark anything much on the bobbly pitch. But the second half brought a complete transformation and Grays took the lead with their first effort on goal, Leroy Griffiths heading home from a corner. They were unlucky not to go two-up when Jamie Martin’s shot bounced off the bar.

It was a crucial moment, as Aldershot were soon awarded a controversial penalty when Joe Bruce was judged to have brought down Lee Charles, who fell theatrically. Roscoe D’Sane blasted in the spot kick for the Conference side, and